Chapter 127
The more Benjamin talked, the angrier he seemed to get. By the end, he couldn't control himself and stepped forward, blocking Charlotte's path.
"In terms of ability, I've been at the Harris Group for years, and my accomplishments are no less than his!"
"In terms of status, I'm also an heir to the Harris family!"
"I've worked so hard—so why does Grandpa still think I can't measure up to him?"
"And you're the same! Why would you rather choose a man with such a controlling streak, someone who keeps you like a caged bird, than even look at me? Am I really that worthless?!"
Benjamin's emotions spiraled out of control, his eyes reddening.
"Do you think Alexander actually loves you? He's only interested in your usefulness right now! He needs you to help him take down the Langley family!"
"Once he swallows up the Langley Group, do you think you'll still matter to him? You'll just be tossed aside like trash!"
In that moment, over twenty years of resentment, jealousy, and rage—bottled up inside—came pouring out, all directed at Charlotte.
"Charlotte! Open your eyes and see clearly! I'm the one who can give you freedom, who'll let you do whatever you want!"
"Alexander will only lock you up and turn you into his accessory!"
"You'll regret choosing him—sooner or later!"
As his words hung in the air, an awkward silence settled over the scene.
Charlotte stared at the furious man before her, finding the whole thing absurd and laughable.
But she didn't have the time or energy to waste on him. It simply wasn't worth it.
"Are you done?" she asked, her gaze icy as she looked at him.
"If you're finished, then move. I have other things to do."
"And by the way, you shouldn't be venting these emotions at me. I'm not a therapist."
"I don't waste my time on things that don't pay and aren't worth it."
Her casual dismissal snapped the last thread of Benjamin's composure. Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, he exploded.
"Charlotte! Don't push your luck!"
His eyes blazed red. The refined, gentlemanly mask he'd worn for so long vanished completely. His face twisted, his breathing coming in harsh gasps through his nose.
"You're not going anywhere!"
As he spoke, he reached out to grab Charlotte's shoulder, trying to force her to face him through sheer physical intimidation.
But before his hand could even touch the hem of her clothes, a sharp pain shot through his wrist. His entire hand was wrenched into an unnatural angle.
Searing pain flooded his limbs. A strangled grunt escaped his throat, and his whole arm went numb.
Charlotte didn't stop there. Gripping his arm, she pressed down smoothly while her foot hooked his leg with barely a trace of movement.
The man immediately dropped to one knee in a humiliating position, his clean, pressed suit now smudged with dust and dirt.
"You—"
Benjamin was both shocked and furious. He'd never imagined Charlotte had this kind of skill.
She'd subdued him so effortlessly?
"Benjamin, I'll say this one last time." Charlotte looked down at him from above, her tone laced with undeniable warning and disgust. "I don't care what you've been through in the Harris family, and I don't want to know what's going on in your head. Don't mess with me—or next time, making you kneel will be the least of your problems."
With that, she released him, tossing him aside like garbage. She even brushed off her clothes with visible distaste.
After that, she didn't spare Benjamin another glance. She got into her car and drove off without looking back.
Benjamin remained frozen in his kneeling position, staring at the taillights disappearing into the distance. The venom and hatred in his eyes were almost tangible.
……
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, in a top-tier apartment with extremely tight security, Nora paced anxiously back and forth in the living room.
She'd bought this apartment with her own private funds. The location was discreet, and no one else knew about it except her.
Now, this place had become her only refuge.
Just thinking about the complicated situation made her unbearably anxious.
As the suffocating panic threatened to push her to the breaking point, her phone on the coffee table suddenly vibrated.
Nora jumped, startled, but quickly recovered and picked it up.
The voice on the other end wasn't Chloe's—it was Mandy's shrill, furious cursing. Clearly, they were on a three-way call.
"When are we finally going to make our move?! I'm seriously losing it!"
"I don't know what kind of spell Charlotte cast on Alexander and Edward, but they've got me locked up at home like a prisoner—all because of one word from her! I'm not even allowed to leave my room!"
"I'm so pissed off!"
"It's all that bitch Charlotte's fault! And Alexander! Who does he think he is?! What gives him the right to boss me around?"
Mandy's ranting made Nora frown. She instinctively held the phone away from her ear.
Just then, Chloe's cool voice cut in, interrupting the tirade.
"What's the point of complaining about all this? Do you think you're the only one having a hard time? I am too. Save your useless whining."
"So have you guys come up with any kind of plan or not?" Nora seized the opportunity to jump into the conversation. "I'm hiding out here and I don't even dare go outside. My dad's definitely looking for me everywhere, and if he catches me, I'll be shipped off abroad for sure!"
"That's true, but ordinary tactics don't work on Charlotte at all."
Chloe took a deep breath, her tone thick with anxiety. "Every time before, she's found a way to fight back. Not only did we fail, but we ended up worse off."
"Then we just need to set up a foolproof plan and take her out in one shot! Make sure she can never recover!" Mandy suddenly chimed in.
Hearing that, Nora thought it made sense—but she had her own concerns.
"But Charlotte has Alexander. He's like a guard dog, watching her every move. How are we supposed to get to her?"
That comment seemed to spark something in Mandy. As if she'd just thought of something, her tone grew increasingly sinister.
"Actually, I have an idea."
"If Alexander's going to protect Charlotte, why don't we take care of him first?"
"Once he's out of the picture—or better yet, if we turn them against each other—then we can go after Charlotte, right?"
She'd been scolded by Edward, and now her anger had spilled over onto Alexander as well. The desire for revenge was taking root.
Her words were met with silence from both Chloe and Nora.
Go after Alexander?
Honestly, the thought had never even crossed their minds.
That man was ruthless and decisive. He wasn't someone they could afford to provoke.